Wales are keen for veteran goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey to take on a coaching role to help develop the next man to wear No.1.
The 38-year-old, who has amassed 109 caps for his country—second only to Gareth Bale in the men's game—has been approached to join the national Under-21 set-up this summer.
Matty Jones, the U21 head coach, sees Hennessey as an ideal mentor for emerging goalkeepers, particularly after Boaz Myhill’s recent transition into a senior coaching position at West Bromwich Albion.
“I’ve already reached out to Wayne,” said Jones, after announcing his squad for upcoming friendlies against Andorra and Sweden in Valencia.
“There was a change in our staffing group with Boaz (Myhill) as Tony Mowbray came in at West Brom and wanted him to be part of the senior team there.
“We’ve asked Wayne whether he would be interested and we’ll see whether that’s too early or not.
“But the experience he’s got is absolutely frightening in what he could offer our young keepers within the system.
“I would love to tap into Wayne and bring him in like I’ve done with Gareth (Bale) and Aaron (Ramsey).
“These players know how to make it at the top level of football and we’ve got to share that learning.”
While Hennessey is being lined up for a potential coaching role, he has not been included in Craig Bellamy’s senior squad for Wales’ World Cup qualifiers against Kazakhstan and North Macedonia later this month.
Having recently returned to Nottingham Forest’s bench following a serious Achilles injury, the experienced goalkeeper was overlooked in favor of Danny Ward, Karl Darlow, and Adam Davies for the March fixtures.
Ward and Darlow shared goalkeeping duties in Wales’ successful autumn Nations League campaign, each featuring in three matches.
Bellamy is now determined to maintain a flexible approach to his selection.
“We will see how this week goes but I’ve quite enjoyed moving them,” said Bellamy.
“I always see it like I move (outfield) players. It’s a position that doesn’t help that they are not particularly playing as much as what we would like.
“But we can’t always have it our way. We do understand it’s been that case for a while. We’re okay and I’m quite comfortable with it.”
Wales will begin their World Cup qualification campaign against Kazakhstan in Cardiff on March 22 before traveling to face North Macedonia three days later.
